Former Virginia Congressman Caldwell Butler dies

Former Virginia attorney general Richard Cullen and officials with Oakey’s Funeral Service in Roanoke say Butler died Tuesday. The Roanoke resident was 89.

An attorney, Butler represented Virginia’s 6th congressional district in the U.S. House from 1972 to 1982.

Watergate unfolded during his first term. He helped the House Judiciary Committee draft the Nixon impeachment articles and later voted for them, admitting it took a toll on his political career. Nixon resigned in August 1974 before the full House debated his impeachment.

Cullen served as Butler’s press secretary during the impeachment proceedings.

Oakey’s is in charge of arrangements, which are incomplete.

Butler’s wife, June, died last month.

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